Effective December 16, 2013, PathGroup will switch the current Group B Strep Detection by PCR assay to a new platform. The new assay will be the FDA-approved BD MAX™ GBS. The BD MAX™ GBS assay provides excellent clinical sensitivity (95.0%) and clinical specificity (96.7%) with an analytic sensitivity of only 200 cfu/ml.

Effective December 2, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Quantitative Kappa & Lambda Free light Chains, Serum. Measurements of free kappa and lambda light chains plays a key role in diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis for many patients with a monoclonal gammopathy, and are an essential component of the primary screening algorithm for suspected monoclonal plasma cell disorders. Measurement of free light chains can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple myeloma, lymphocytic neoplasms, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, amyloid (AL) amyloidosis, and connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.

Effective December 2, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) and Immunofixation (IFE). Protein electrophoresis is a well-established technique routinely used for the screening of protein abnormalities. The fraction concentrations and the electrophoretic pattern may be characteristic of diseases such as monoclonal gammopathies, nephrotic syndrome, and inflammatory processes associated with infection, liver disease, and autoimmune diseases.

Effective November 18, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1). IGF-1, also known as somatomedin C, is a 70 amino acid polypeptide produced primarily by the liver in response to endocrine growth hormone (GH) stimulus. Although partially responsible for systemic GH activities, it additionally contributes to anabolic, antioxidant, and cytoprotective functions.

When screening for Drugs of Abuse (DOA), or when monitoring patients taking prescription pain medications, the specimen of choice is urine as opposed to serum or plasma. Why Urine? Urine is considered the gold standard; it is non-invasive and fast. Samples are easy to collect and test and there is generally a longer window of detection than blood. Drugs of abuse can be detected in urine for days to weeks after exposure, in contrast to blood detection which is generally in hours. For example, heroin has a half-life of 6 to 15 minutes in blood, but opiate metabolites may be detected in urine for 2 to 3 days.

Effective October 21, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Beta-2-Microglobulin (B2M) Serum. B2M is a low molecular weight protein found on the surface of most nucleated cells. It forms the light chain component of the histocompatibility antigen and is eliminated via the kidneys. However, this is markedly increased in tubulo-interstitial disorders. Raised serum levels of B2M are associated with renal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Elevated serum levels can also occur with systemic lupus erythematosus, malignant lymphoma and myeloma.

PathGroup is releasing enhancements to the PathConnect application effective July 1, 2013. To minimize disruption to your daily operations, we will be migrating from the old PathConnect platform to the new platform on Saturday, June 29, 2013, between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. CT. During this time you may experience an interruption in PathConnect service. We expect the transition to move quickly and it is likely you will not experience any downtime to your daily workflow.